Cell Descriptions - South East Natural Resources Management Board

SE14 – Long Beach
Landforms
The inland boundary of this cell is set by the mapping of the extent of the Holocene dunes
(approximately 1km); extensive dune forms and lakes further inland are Pleistocene features
(Sprigg, 1979). The Holocene dunes are stable and low in elevation, adding little relief to the
almost featureless coastal plain. In fact 96% of this cell is classified ‘coastal dune’. The dunes
comprise a relatively large foredune, with a series of very low Holocene ridges immediately
inland. Foredunes are stable now and in the past, and few transgressive features are seen. This is
a result of low wave energy, that varies from medium to low near the Granites to close to zero at
Blackford Drain, that is a result of offshore shoaling on the ‘Lacepede Reefs’, (Sprigg, 1979) and
the generally very shallow offshore gradients. South of Blackford Drain to Port Caroline, the
dunes are flat to non-existent. Beaches are composed of mainly fine sands, with low beach face
angles. The beach type is classified by Short, as low tide terrace.
Coastal plain at The Granites (northern boundary of Cell SE14). Photograph Coast Protection
Board 2008.
Biota
There are 6 flora survey sites, 11 Herbarium record sites, and 11 opportune fauna survey sites.
The total area of native vegetation, 368ha, is approximately 25% of the cell. The majority of the
cell is cleared primary production land. Leucopogon parviflorus shrubland is recorded along the
uncleared coastal dune strip with a mix of Spinifex grassland along the foredune. Only 31 bird
species, 4 butterflies and one reptile have been recorded in the cell, including the EPBC listed
critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). Widespread Allocasuarina
verticillata coastal woodlands were once present before clearance for farming/ grazing purposes.
Benthic Habitat
Inshore dense to sparse sea grass to 3 to 7km, with calcarenite reef offshore.
Land Use/ Land Ownership
Inner dune ridges are grazed. The majority of land is privately owned, though there are narrow
areas of unallotted Crown coastal land. Coastal dune opposite Paranki Lagoon/ Lake Nadzab is
Limestone Coast and Coorong Coastal Action Plan 443